BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:40 AM

Not trying to impinge upon the attention on Kendall's surgery yesterday, but Tom is actually on his way to Mass General (by train, solo) right now for his meeting with the anesthesiologist to make sure his long postponed second vocal cord procedure is back on track.

This will be on Tuesday, Feb. 23rd -- Dr. Zeitels will remove the remaining cancer on Tom's left vocal cord (which was left after the first surgery so it wouldn't grow together with the area of the right vocal fold during healing) and start on the rebuilding process by injecting Tom's body fat into the area of his right vocal fold.

We got just enough snow late yesterday to be a major annoyance this morning. My boss sent me home at 5:30 (instead of making me stay to close at 8) after the snow started to get serious. He closed as soon as the doctor's last patient had gone. It took me two hours to make the usual 30 minute drive. Visibility sucked and on the Spaulding Turnpike and Rte. 4 I never went faster than 30 mph. Then came to a (thankfully not screaming) halt west of Lee Circle. Sat for 45 minutes not knowing what was blocking traffic ahead. Finally eastbound traffic started coming through, then we got to move ahead a bit, etcet etcet. Finally pulled past a petroleum tank truck in the middle of the road and it was more or less free sailing home. (I'd been painfully close to my turnoff when traffic stopped.) Got home after 7:30 but before the need to pee got desperate.

We both had to leap out of bed at 5 this morning. Let me rephrase that. I had to leap out of bed and immediately get dressed and out to shovel the deck, trudge to the head of the driveway and clear Tom's car of the snow stuck to all sides of it. Then shovel out the front (our plow guy had been by and cleared between the cars and the road) of his car and pull it forward so I could clean off the passenger side.

Tom is moving very slowly because of the defib adjustment, but he was out of the house, armed with my cell phone, a card with his destination at Mass General on it so the driver of the Partners bus could get him there from North Station (in Boston traffic, etc. Tom wouldn't be able to vocally make himself understood), Advair and cane. Took him a bit to get up our long uphill driveway but I had the car warmed up for him to rest in before he left, more or less on time, to get the Downeaster train in Durham.

After I got my car shovelled out, I went and got some McFood and McCoffee at the Circle and had a delightful conversation with a gentleman who was convinced that he was older than I was (we were reminiscing about winter weather past) and startled to find I'm 60 and have some years on him. He thought I was in my 40s.

Just got my feet and gloves soaked yet again getting in some more firewood. And when my feet thaw out, I'll go out and get some more. My car isn't blocking the driveway, so our plow guy can clear it at his convenience.

Meanwhile, I won't relax until Tom is safely home again later today and I'm not sure exactly when that will be. I hope he gets a chance to stop in and see Kendall and Jacqui when he's there.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:42 AM

Here's the link to the previous thread --

Curmudgeon's Winter Medical Woes

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: maeve
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:44 AM

Thank you for the update, Linn. Love to you both as the story unfolds.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:48 AM

I am picturing a pair of grumpy curmudgeons neither able to speak trying to hold a conversation. LOL The snow missed Portland; South Portland got an inch. South and west got dumped on - up to 11 inches.
The roads were icy last night and I was glad to reach my driveway in one piece. Seamus of course loves it. Buries his nose in and snorts. He's like a puppy in the snow.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:03 AM

We got less than 6 inches and it wasn't too heavy. The roads (Rte. 4) today are covered with cobbled ice. I haven't been able to find out yet exactly what the accident was that shut down Rte. 4 on my way home last night.

Right now I'm resting my frigid and soaked feet on a slab of soapstone that's been warming on the woodstove. Old New Hampshire technology meets new (computer) technology. I've also got a furry lap warmer "helping" me and complicating typing right now.

I'm waiting until it's a decent hour in Milwaukee to call my sister.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:11 AM

I'm glad Tom got on his way- and you sound as though you're taking care of yourself in the good old way- keep us posted!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:43 AM

"I am picturing a pair of grumpy curmudgeons neither able to speak trying to hold a conversation." Sins

A lot of misty-eyed smiles, no doubt. The best of outcomes to Tom.

I just remembered a funny conversation I overheard years ago: A Frenchman and a Japanese woman trying to converse in English.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 12:24 PM

Hi Linn

Putting my 2 bits of thinking about y'll in this here thread. Keep well girl. That cold feet stuff can get ya into trouble.

Hugs to you both and fingers, toes, knees and eyes crossed for positive outcome of the pre surgery check for Tom.





p.s. Don't know if I like this flashy adverts inside the actual threads. Some are downright inappropriate to the topic. Is this a new addition by Max?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 01:27 PM

Just got a phone message from Tom (I was talking to my sister in Milwaukee at the time) -- he'll be getting the 3 pm bus from North Station and will be home about 5. He sounded in good spirits, so I guess the meeting with the anesthesiologist went well.

I feel better, too, just knowing he's okay navigating Boston on his own. Don't know if he was able to look up Kendall and Jacqui while he was there.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:21 PM

Linn-

Nice to get an update and know that Tom is on the long road home.

Will we see you at the Press Room this Saturday?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:25 PM

Another hurdle navigated. Great!
If Kendall is still in the ICU I doubt Tom would have been allowed in. If he is now in a room, I bet Jacqui is still trying to find him. Hospitals are wonderful for that.
Good news.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: gnu
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:45 PM

Sounds cool so far. Still holding you both close.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:55 PM

Anxious to hear what Tom says but it sounds pretty good at this point!

I promise not to jam the thread with posts but you guys know I am following closely and expecting nothing but the best.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:55 PM

The ad above is for Rock Hero. Is there something Tom isn't sharing with us?
M

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 04:11 PM

I dunno' Sins.....The ad I see now is for "Queer As Folk."

I'm serious here!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 04:22 PM

Nope -- Twilight Saga and Food, Inc. Uh huh. (Or is it, "Hmmmmmm..."?)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 04:50 PM

Now it's a toothless Johnny Cash. What does Tom get up to while you're at work, Linn? Surfing the net?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 06:15 PM

Nope -- "Hollywood Causes Cancer"...well, Tom did run Cinematheque -- but that shop specialized in foreign films and classics and indies.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 07:00 PM

Tom and LInn -- the Mayor and I send you our very very best......you are an amazing woman. I wouldn't shovel out a car if my life depended on it but then I am a princess.......

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 07:57 PM

I don't suppose they could save a lot of us the trouble of following both threads and both men by putting them in the same room if their stays overlap, and make sure there's WiFi in the room?

Stay warm, Linn. I have an antique slab of stone like that, with a metal bail on one end, for warming on a stovetop and using as a foot warmer in bed. The aunt whose house it came from used to have a place in Maine. Maybe it's the same kind of stone or came from the same manufacturer.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:47 PM

Good idea, SRS. And when CURMUDGEONLINESS hits critical mass, we can allwatch it on FOX News. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 04:50 AM

Thinking of you both and sending positive thoughts from here!
Love & Hugs,
Hil x

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 08:11 AM

Tom's next procedure on Tuesday won't require a hospital stay -- they'll turn him loose as soon as he's recovered from the anesthesia. He seems to think he's going to hop on a train bound for New Hampshire as soon as he can get to North Station, but I think we'll probably be spending the night at the Holiday Inn a block away from the hospital (as we will be the night before) and heading home on Wednesday morning.

Tom's got an appointment with Dr. Z on Monday right after we hit town and then a CAT scan later, but at some point Tom and Kendall should be able to curmudge at each other (and Jacqui and I can commiserate).

Mass General, by the way, is a city in itself. Yesterday Tom was in Jackson, where assistance is slight, and he couldn't find out where Kendall was without walking all over hell and gone, which is very difficult for him right now. So they couldn't get together yesterday. We'll fix that on Monday.

Stilly, same thingy. It's soapstone which holds heat very very well. Mine is lacking the bail. Old New England solution to a problem that doesn't go away. Wrapped in a towel, it will warm the bed. Plunked on the floor in our woodstove heated home with my damp, frozen feet resting on it, an absolute joy.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 08:21 AM

Very wise to stay the night in a hotel, Linn. Remember Kendall's drug reaction that would have been on a bus bound for Maine had it set in ten minutes later.
Kendall is still in the ICU. I don't know how keen they are on visitors but hopefully by next week he will be in a room. There' a cute nurse in the ICU who is delaying his recovery, I believe.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: kendall
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 09:02 AM

iT'S OK, Sins, they are giving me meds to make the swelling go down.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Janie
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 09:22 AM

Appreciatethe time you take to keep us updated, Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 10:38 AM

argaiV?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 11:20 AM

LOLOLOL... one extra point for Giok!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Carly
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 02:01 PM

Love and hugs to you both. Thanks, Linn, for your messages; please do take care of yourself. We look forward to seeing you in the spring.
Carly

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 04:30 PM

Refresh
Join Kendall at the top. Dr. Zeitel will be putting his kids thru college via Mudcat patients at this rate.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:10 PM

Thanks for the updates, Linn. Sounds like all that firewood hauling, snow-shovelling, and climbing the driveway have taken years off your age...young fellers chatting you up and all...the bright side of it all, eh?

Kendall!**bg**

Much love to all,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 08:14 AM

Tom FINALLY got a date to renew the defibrillator battery -- Wednesday, March 10th. (So I don't have to take yet another day off from work.)

is cardiologist wanted the okay (and how long after his throat surgery) from Dr. Z. The interesting thing is, his cardiologist doesn't understand the type of throat surgery or what it requires, and Dr.Z. doesn't really know about the battery change procedure.

But everything, AT LAST!, seems to be on track.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Janie
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 08:28 AM

Hurray!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: GUEST,Judy Cook
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 11:21 AM

Sending good thoughts your way.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: jacqui.c
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 12:01 PM

Good thoughts coming - I'll let you know if Kendall's up for visiting on Monday. Kendall's making progress but isn't really up for company right now.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: kendall
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 06:37 AM

Tom, when we get all back together with all parts working, what are we going to bitch bout? Lets form a duo, the hoarse bros.?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:28 AM

LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Leadfingers
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:39 AM

Good name for the duo - The Ponies - As you are BOTH a little horse

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:46 AM

Countdown to getting this crap over with. Less than two days. WHOO WHOO!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 06:08 PM

I spoke with Tom earlier. Linn was at work. He sounds really good and eager to get the whole business behind them. His surgery is 6AM (yeah, right) on Tuesday so get your candles, gongs and assorted paraphernalia at the ready.
Good luck, Tom. I have complete confidence in Dr. Z. You're in the best care possible.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: maeve
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 06:11 PM

Thinking of you, Tom and Linn.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:33 PM

Less than 2 days to the throat procedure part of the crap. I can't relax until that damned battery is renewed.

Geez, am I the only woman in the world whose husband runs on batteries?!?

(Oh, gawd...I can hear the comments now.)

(But I need some laughs!)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:01 PM

Well...not exactly a husband. More a Mr. WOnderful.
Thanks for asking. LOL
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 09:52 PM

Does he use the Energizer ones?

(Breathe, Linn, deep and slow:-)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 11:24 PM

Well......
No, I will behave, (but Linn I'll sing a verse of BOB just for a laugh or two)....

Still waiting and breathing with you all


tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 12:09 AM

me too

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:09 AM

Tom said he was setting the alarm today for 6:00 -- and I was dressed, packed, etc. before I realized it was only 5:45. Tomorrow he definitely has to be up at 5.

Anywho, McDonald's for breakfast on the way to the train, train just before 9:00, North Station at 10:30, Dr. Zeitels' at 11:30. Then he has to get over to Mass Eye and Ear for a CAT scan. Then maybe we can get the small bag to the hotel (Holiday Inn Beacon Hill a block away from the hospital) and check in. Or maybe we can do that on the way to Mass Eye and Ear -- depends on whether we can get a Partners van or have to hoof it. Maybe we can get together with Kendall or, if he's not up to visitors, at least see Jacqui.

Tomorrow he has to be at Mass General at 6:00, surgery at 8:00. Don't know what time they'll turn him loose. We'll prolly eat mac and cheese for dinner tomorrow night at Au Bon Pain on the corner, but I'll probably get to have lunch at Mass General's Eat Street Cafe which has GREAT soups and breads (and other stuff). Not sure where we're having dinner tonight, but Tom doesn't want to go to Phoenicia (a lovely little Lebanese restaurant) this time or the pub across Cambridge St. (which is loud and plays the wrong kind of music).

Cab to North Station Wednesday morning -- home by noon-ish. Hope it doesn't snow too much tomorrow.

I'll keep everyone posted via the computer in the business center at the hotel.

Thanks for all the good thoughts, prayers and white light!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: maeve
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:11 AM

May the day go well, Tom and Linn.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:38 AM

Thinking of you...


(and maeve, shadowing you, apparently!)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Cancer Surgery 2-23-2010
From: My guru always said
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 08:17 AM

Thinking of you both, will have candle lit. Love & Hugs,
Hil xx